Colored Pasta Making Class with Mama Florence

Transform Your Pasta into Edible Art in the Heart of Florence

Join Mama Florence's exclusive cooking class where the traditional art of pasta making meets creativity and color. Our special class focuses on crafting colored pasta using natural, organic ingredients, turning each dish into a masterpiece.

What is Colored pasta?

Colored pasta is made by incorporating natural ingredients into the dough, such as spinach for green, beets for red, squid ink for black, and saffron for yellow. These additions not only provide vibrant colors but also subtle flavors, enhancing the visual appeal and taste of the pasta. This technique allows for creative and visually stunning dishes.

How do you make pasta from Scratch

Mix 2 cups flour, 2 eggs, a pinch of salt. Knead into dough, let rest 30 mins. Roll out, cut into desired shapes. Boil until al dente, 2-3 mins. Enjoy! Learn the basics and secrets of making the best pasta dough from our expert chefs, originating from Florence, Tuscany. Discover traditional techniques!

How to color your pasta dough

Natural Coloring Techniques: Discover how to use natural ingredients ensure not only a vibrant display but also a healthy and organic meal. 

• Kneading Spinach Dough: Blend spinach into the dough to achieve a vibrant green color and added nutrients.
• Beet Puree for Red Pasta: Incorporate beet puree into the dough for a striking red hue and a slightly sweet flavor.
• Squid Ink for Black Pasta: Mix squid ink into the dough to create dramatic black pasta with a subtle seafood flavor.
• Saffron for Yellow Pasta: Add saffron threads to the dough for a rich yellow color and a distinct, aromatic taste.
• Layering Colors: Roll out multiple colored doughs and layer them together before cutting to create striped or patterned pasta.

How to shape your colored pasta

Shaping pasta involves transforming dough into various forms using different techniques. For example, rolling and cutting is used for fettuccine and tagliatelle, where the dough is flattened and sliced into ribbons. Hand-rolling creates shapes like orecchiette, formed by pressing the dough with your thumb. Filling and sealing is key for ravioli, tortelli and tortellini, where small portions of filling are enclosed within the dough. Using a pasta extruder produces shapes like penne and rigatoni. Each shape requires specific methods to ensure the pasta cooks evenly and holds sauces effectively.

Plating and Dressing Different Colored Pasta

1. Choose a Neutral Plate: A large, white plate highlights the vibrant colors.
2. Arrange Pasta: Separate sections or intertwine different colored pastas (e.g., spinach fettuccine, beet ravioli, squid ink tagliatelle).
3. Add Sauce Sparingly: Use light, complementary sauces to enhance but not overpower the colors.
4. Garnish: Fresh herbs, a drizzle of olive oil, and grated cheese add visual and flavor contrasts.
5. Balance Colors: Ensure each pasta type is equally showcased, creating a visually appealing and balanced dish.

An opportunity to meet new friends from around the globe

At Mama Florence, sharing around the table embodies the spirit of friendship, love, and creating lasting memories with people from around the globe. This philosophy reflects the essence of the real person behind Mama Florence, who is the soul of the place. The culinary experiences here are designed to connect individuals from different places and cultures through delicious food, heartfelt conversations, and cultural exchanges. Each meal is an opportunity to bond, celebrate togetherness, and build a sense of community, making every dining experience a cherished memory.

Sit down and share your 4-course meal

After crafting delectable homemade gnocchi under the guidance of our expert chefs, sit down with your newly made friends to savor the culinary creations from the group class. This tasting meal will include:

• A seasonal  appetizer
• Freshly made Colored Pasta
• A filled Pasta
• A sauce for your filled pasta
• A delicious dessert

Each dish is perfectly paired with three fine wines: a bubbly, a white, and a red, enhancing the flavors and providing a truly social and immersive dining experience. Enjoy socializing and having fun with fellow food enthusiasts as you share this memorable meal and celebrate your newfound skills.

• Food enthusiasts and creative cooks looking to learn how to add color and flair to their pasta dishes
• Individuals passionate about organic and natural cooking methods.
• Anyone interested in learning a unique culinary skill in a fun and supportive environment.

• Gorgeous, Spacious Air-Conditioned Gullo Kitchen: Enjoy cooking in our beautifully designed, comfortable kitchen.
• Hands-On Cooking Class: Learn from experienced and engaging professional chefs.
• High Quality, locally Sourced, Sustainable Ingredients: Use the finest ingredients for your dishes.
• Use of Aprons and Tools: Aprons and tools are provided (apron purchasable on-site at an extra cost).
• Preparation of a 4-Course Menu:
  • Appetizer
  • Fresh Colored pasta with sauce
  • Filled fresh pasta with sauce
  • Dessert
• Full Meal of Prepared Dishes: Enjoy your creations with seated table service.
• Prosecco to Start Your Meal: Begin your dining experience with a glass of Prosecco.
• Wine Pairings:
  • Fine Italian white wine to pair with your appetizer or first course
  • Fine Italian red wine to pair with your second course
• E-Recipes: Receive electronic recipes of all the dishes you've prepared, sent to your inbox.
• Class Duration: Approximately 3.5 hours, including the meal.
• VAT Tax: Included in the price.

Allergies and Cross contamination

• Cross-contamination in shared space: Our kitchen and tools are shared by participants. Cross-contamination is possible or likely.
• Classes are NOT suitable for individuals with SEVERE or life-threatening allergies. Please prioritize safety before enrolling.

Other Dietary needs

• Vegetarian Options: Can be easily accommodated.
• Other Dietary Needs: Vegan, or dairy-free requirements, please inquire prior to booking.
• Gluten-free for celiacs: only our Gluten Free cooking class is suitable for participants with celiac desease, other classes are NOT suitable for celiacs.  
• Gluten-free intolernace: If cross contamination is not an issue this need can be accomdated in most classes 

Minimum Enrollment:

• General: A minimum enrollment of 3 people is required for course activation.
• Sundays: A minimum enrollment of 5 people is required.
• Options if Minimum Not Met: If the minimum is not reached, you will have the option to:
  • Pay an additional fee to reach minimum
  • Make the class private
  • Change to another available date
  • Receive a full refund

Special requests

• Special Requests: If a specific class is not listed on our calendar, let us know and we will try to activate it for your desired date.
• Seasonal Ingredients: We use fresh, seasonal ingredients from trusted local suppliers and farms. The cooking class menu will vary depending on what is available.
• Allergies and Preferences: It is essential to email us ahead of time with any food allergies or preferences so we can verify if we can accommodate them.
• Private Classes: If you would like to make this a private class for you and your group, please get in touch for details.